Just Like Old Times

Today's quick late afternoon ski was from the Old Crystal Lake Days when snow was snow and roads were untouched by the township. First the ski: Wild Rice to Boardpile to Sassafras to Wazoo on three inches of fresh powder over a smooth base. Snow spitting in our faces and hanging from all branches. Surface fast enough to fly but grippy on the uphills. It doesn't get any better. The first few skiers on Saturday will be very lucky and very happy. Here are the old friends I met and joined: Becky and DG, fellow West Branch School parents.

Then the drive down the mountain: dense fog at the Price Estate so thick we had to lean out of the window to see the edge of the road to follow it. Then, near Pine Tree Road, the dreaded flares. Nobody hurt, but three cars in the ditch and the road so slick you couldn't walk, let alone continue. The drivers all from the Highland Lake Lodge and the gravel truck on its way, but what to do? Several guys helped Becky and DG get slid around 180 degrees, and I put on my chains. On the way up to the top I found another skier car in the ditch and dropped the couple off at the Highland Lake Lodge (for a pizza and other succor.) Then our two cars dodged snowmobiles down the Genesee Trail (unplowed, thick snow but no ice) to Huntersville.

But it is 2007. Shrewsbury Township will do a good job on the weekend! And there's always a friendly someone to rescue you on the road.

- Michael